Part of the Palace, Amber.

Photograph from an album of 80 albumen prints taken by Eugene Clutterbuck Impey. Amber (or Amer) in Rajasthan, founded by Mina tribesmen in the early 10th century, was taken by the Kacchwaha Rajputs and was their seat and important

Rajput capital from 1150-1728. When Sawai Jai Singh II moved 11 kms away to the newly founded city of Jaipur in 1728 it lost its importance and became known more for its picturesque setting. Surrounded by rocky escarpments on which are built its fort and palace, Amber town clusters near Maota Lake. The Amber Palace complex was built along a north-south axis halfway up a hill over a period of 100 years. At the southern end is the original palace built by Akbar's celebrated general Man Singh I (ruled 1590-1614) and further additions were made in the 17th and 18th centuries. The structures show the cross-pollination of Mughal and Rajput styles. The palace gardens are laid out below near the lake. Ascent to the fort is by elephant-back, from where there is a magnificent view of the palace and the surrounding countryside.